WRC PUSHING AHEAD, NZRC UP IN THE AIR

While 2020 was set to be an exciting year for New Zealand rallying, with the return of WRC Rally New Zealand, the Covid-19 cancellation of literally everything looked to have put that return on the back-burner as the situation progressed.

Rally New Zealand is continuing to look at its options for the remainder of the 2020 New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC); however, series coordinator Blair Bartels states that nothing can be confirmed yet. With April’s Otago Rally and the International Rally of Whangarei in May both postponed, the status of the Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay incarnations is still unclear.

“Unfortunately, regarding the NZRC at this point in time everything is up in the air,” Bartels said. “Once we have an idea of when we may come out of lockdown then we can continue to work through what the NZRC may look like for this season.”

Meanwhile in regards to the World Rally Championship (WRC), only three rounds have been postponed thus far, with the hope being that it can be picked up where it left off once this has all blown over. Rally New Zealand chief executive Michael Goldstein has also issued a statement that the organization is proceeding with its preparation to host the WRC round in September until told otherwise.

“Of course there is currently major global uncertainty affecting everyone, including the 2020 World Rally Championship,” said Goldstein. “[But] over the coming weeks we will continue to liaise closely with local and central government agencies as well as the WRC Promoter and international governing body (FIA).”

Further updates to come.